What To Do If You Have Been Involved in a Florida Truck Accident

Over 400,000 truck accidents will occur each year, resulting in a U.S. driver being hurt or killed in a truck accident every 16 minutes. Being involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, semi-truck, or any other large truck can be terrifying. Often, in the moments following the accident, victims are in a state of shock, panic, and sometimes pain. It is critical that you have an understanding of the actions to take following a truck accident in Florida so that you can protect receive proper medical treatment and protect your legal rights.

Our Miami truck accident lawyers have put together the following list of tips for what to do in the event you are involved in a truck accident or 18 wheeler crash:

1. Do not leave the scene of the accident–under no circumstances should you leave the scene of the accident. Under Florida law, it is illegal to leave the scene of any accident when a person has been injured or killed. No matter how minor the crash may seem, damages and injuries may still be sustained. Therefore, always remain at the scene of the accident until help arrives. Ensure you are located in a safe position, preferably the nearest soft shoulder, so you do not incur any further injury.2. Call the police–a police officer will be quickly dispatched upon your call to obtain information from all parties involved. The police officer will generate an official report of the truck accident that can later be obtained and used in furtherance of your claim. An accident report is a vital piece of information to be provided to the insurance company to confirm the events.

3. Gather information from those involved and witnesses to the truck accident–it is important to gather information from all parties involved for your own records. Accident reports can take up to 21 business days to process, so you will be able to act much faster if you collect information yourself. Obtain the name, address, and phone number from all parties involved and from all eyewitnesses to the accident. Write down the driver’s license and license plate numbers for all parties and vehicles involved. Jot down the company the truck driver works for as well as the phone number. Collect the insurance company name and policy numbers for all involved.

4. Take pictures–if possible, photograph the accident. Document the condition of your vehicle as well as others involved, any skid marks, your injuries, and the location of the incident. Videos are very helpful. If you are unable to take the photos, ask someone else present to take them.

5. Seek medical treatment–truck collisions often result in severe injury, which can lead to long term hospitalization, doctor’s visits, and even surgery. Medical costs can be excessive. If you believe you may have sustained injury in the accident, promptly seek medical attention. If you feel pain or discomfort, ask for paramedics to be called. Better safe than sorry. If the paramedics suggest that they transportyou to the hospital, go they are the professionals and you need to trust in their judgement.

IMPORTANT TIP: In each and every case our office handles we make it a practice to go over each and every complaint our client has from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet. We do this because patients fail to tell their physician all of their complaints, thinking that what they are feeling is not related to the injuries received in their case. We are not doctors but we explain to the client to let the doctor know because he/she may feel that there is a relation. For example, a person complaining of lower back pain may not tell their doctor that they are having tingling or numbness in their leg. By telling the doctor this, they can examine the patient and determine the cause of the complaint.

If you or a loved one is injured in a trucking accident, contact the South Florida law office of Greenberg Stone and Urbano today. For over 120 collective years, we have aggressively represented the victims of trucking accidents across South Florida. Our commitment to excellence of legal services has earned us an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, and it is why we have been asked to join Primerus, an international society of leading law firms. Moreover, the Miami Herald voted us as one of the top-rated South Florida law firm, and, we have earned the title of “Superlawyers,” designating us as being among the best lawyers in America. We want to put this dedication to work for you, so call us at (888) 499-9700 or (305) 595-2400 or visit our website to schedule an initial consultation.

Greenberg, Stone & Urbano

11440 N Kendall Dr, #400

Miami, FL33176

Phone: (888) 499-9700 Local: (305) 595-2400

Naples Office

999 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #200

Naples, FL34108

Phone: (888) 499-9700Local: (239) 325-5100

* AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.

The law changes from time to time and although we make every effort to keep the information provided in our blogs and websites current, we cannot promise or guarantee that such information is correct, complete or up-to-date, especially the information provided in older blog posts since the law may have changed from the time those posts were published. The content in our web site and blogs is offered purely for informational purposes. It is not intended to create or promote an attorney-client relationship, and does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Internet subscribers and online readers should not act based upon this information without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted to practice in their location.